August 2011

The government estimates oil leak could involve more than 1,300 barrels but claims it has been greatly reduced.

The Gannet Alpha platform in the North Sea. Photograph: Royal Dutch Shell Ho/EPA

The flow of oil from the worst spill in UK waters in the past decade, at one of Shell's North Sea platforms, has been "greatly reduced" but not yet stopped completely, the government said on Monday.

Conservationists warned that the leak could harm bird life in the area, at a delicate time in their development, as the oil company worked to minimise the damage.

Stuart Housden, director of RSPB Scotland, said: "We know oil of any amount, if in the wrong place, at the wrong time, can have a devastating impact on marine life. Currently thousands of young auks – razorbills, puffins and guillemots – are flightless and dispersing widely in the North Sea during late summer. So they could be at serious risk if contaminated by this spill."

Shell’s private security (IRMS) are currently standing side by side with members of An Garda Siochana to block the public road at Aughoose, Co. Mayo. This morning at 9am a group of 12 people went down to Shell’s compound at Aughoose to try and stop work.

CALLS FOR improved prison conditions, better foster service inspections and the introduction of full civil marriage for gay couples are among the submissions to be considered during the next UN periodic review.

The United Nations Human Rights Council has received submissions on behalf of 60 Irish organisations to be considered by the working group on the universal periodic review which is due to take place in Geneva in October.

Royal Dutch Shell today said it was working to contain an oil leak at its Gannet Alpha Platform in the UK North Sea but declined to specify the size of the leak.

"We can confirm we are managing an oil leak in a flow line that serves the Shell-operated Gannet Alpha platform. We deployed a remote-operated vehicle to check for a subsea leak after a light sheen was noticed in the area," a Shell spokesman said.

Between a mass trespass in the morning, someone blocking the road for 2 and ½ hours by climbing on top of a lorry, and a protest outside Shell's Ballinaboy refinery, Thursday 11th August was a day full of blocking Shell.

Corrib gas has been the biggest sell-off of our natural resources to date. Under the FG/Labour government this record may soon be matched.

There are an estimated 10 billion barrels of oil off the west coast of Ireland. Recent advances in technology have meant a jump in exploration applications: 2 in 2009 to 15 in 2011.

Under the terms of a 1992 licensing agreement, oil companies pay just 25% tax, which can be written off against exploration costs. Companies applying after 2007 had a profit resource rent tax (PRRT) introduced, with 5% to 15% tax on profits.

GARDAÍ IN north Mayo are investigating damage to property associated with the Corrib gas project earlier this week.

Supt Pat Diskin of Belmullet Garda station confirmed yesterday that incidents were being investigated in Pollathomas, close to the work site for the final section of onshore gas pipeline, and at Glengad, landfall for the offshore pipeline.

A number of windows were broken at the Pollathomas property, which has been used by Corrib gas partners and consultants.

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Blast from the Past

Garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe’s first contact with a TD came about because he saw Clare Daly TD on ‘Tonight with Vincent Browne’ talking about policing of Corrib Gas protests, writes William Hederman

The repercussions for Garda whistleblowers Maurice McCabe and John Wilson will be familiar to others who have publicly embarrassed An Garda Síochána. They were clearly acting in the public interest, but their revelations brought the force into disrepute, and the two men suffered as a result. Revenge was exacted – not only by colleagues, but also by way of public denunciation by the Garda Commissioner (“disgusting”), the Minister for Justice (“not co-operating”) and by various other parties loyal to the force.